Controls and indicators with on-screen cognitive aids

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an applet for a mobile computing device, comprising an element to detect user input and perform appropriate associated actions, and to provide a cognitive aid for users of the mobile computing device. The invention also relates to a method for controlling operation of a mobile computing device, comprising detecting user input and performing appropriate associated actions and providing a cognitive aid for users of the mobile computing device. The invention further relates to a cognitive aid for a mobile computing device having a display screen, the cognitive aid being displayed on the display screen and including an on-screen and/or an audio tip, and being associated with an input vehicle of the mobile computing device. The cognitive aid provides relevant information to the user regarding the input vehicle. The invention still further relates to a method for assisting users of a mobile computing device having a display screen. The method comprises providing a vehicle for user input to the mobile computing device and providing a cognitive aid on the display screen, the cognitive aid being associated with the user input vehicle. The cognitive aid provides relevant information to the user regarding the user input vehicle.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention relate to a mobile computing devicewith integrated peripheral that may be used, for example, in a clinicalor hospital environment for monitoring the welfare of a patient.Illustrative of mobile computing devices according to the presentinvention are tablet-style personal computers designed to communicatewirelessly with one or more peripherals while being convenient to holdand operate and resistant to penetration by fluids. The presentinvention more particularly relates to controls and indicators withon-screen cognitive aids for use with a mobile computing device.

BACKGROUND

A class of personal computers that is smaller than the typical “desktop”or “laptop” devices is known in the art as “tablet” personal computers,or tablet PCs. Such computing devices are generally known for use aspersonal digital assistants and as specialized, mobile computers. TabletPC's typically offer the advantage of a small form factor that is easyfor the user to carry.

The systems of known tablet PCs employ a variety of methods for mappingto buttons. Known methods for mapping to buttons in systemimplementations can differ from model to model and from one OEM/ODM toanother. Although a small number of such features have been standardizedby mapping methods such as, for example, ACPI, most are not standardizedat all.

This requires that a new ACPI device driver be written every time,requiring the driver writer to coordinate with the BIOS developer toensure that they agree on the names of the ACPI control methods and anyparameters they might have.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the computinghardware of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an illustrative embodiment of the chassis ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the chassis of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the chassis of thepresent invention showing an exemplary gasket structure.

FIG. 5 in a depiction of the inside of the chassis illustratingexemplary placements for antennae according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention incorporatinga stylus and recessed caddy within the chassis of a tablet-style PC.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of cognitive aids.

FIG. 8 illustrates cognitive aids and a block flow diagram of a possiblearchitecture for use of the cognitive aids in connection with thehardware of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of an ACPI-to-HID mapper driverarchitecture.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a docking stationaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of an embodiment of a dockingstation according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a docking stationaccording to the present invention showing the bottom of a dockingstation.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wirelessstethoscope.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a control/indicator areaand applet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. For example, the term “an array” may include a plurality ofarrays unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Further, Table 1,below, lists various acronyms and terms of art used herein.

TABLE 1 AC97 Audio Codec 97 ACPI Advance Configuration and PowerInterface AHCI Advanced Host Controller Interface (SATA) ALS AmbientLight Sensor - detects room lighting conditions AOE Intel MPG APAC ODMEnabling Operation AOL Alert On LAN AON Always On. Former name of whatis now called EMA. AP Access Point API Application Programming InterfaceARD Architectural Requirements Document AV Audio/Video Azalia Highdefinition audio BIA Back Light Image Adaptation BIOS Basic Input/OutputSystem, the PC firmware/boot ROM. BLI Back Light Inverter BT BluetoothCCU Common Configuration Utility CDS Content Directory Service. A UPnPservice that advertises media content available for sharing on a homenetwork. CE Consumer Electronics (e.g., VCR, stereo, TV) CCFL ColdCathode Fluorescent Light (known technology used for backlighting LCDdisplay panels) CIR Consumer Infra Red CLR Common Language Runtime.Microsoft virtual machine for .NET languages. CMT Centrino MobileTechnology COM Serial communications port CPU Central Processing UnitCRT Cathode Ray Tube DDR Double Data Rate DH Digital Home DHWG DigitalHome Working Group DLL Windows Dynamic Link Library DMA Digital MediaAdaptor (Digital Home context) or Direct Memory Access (device drivercontext). DMI Direct Media Interface DPG Intel Desktop Products GroupDPST Display Power Saving Technique DRAM Dynamic Random Access MemoryDSP Digital Signal Processor (a chip) or Digital Signal Processing (asin algorithms) DTCP Digital Transmission Copy Protection DTLA DigitalTransmission Licensing Authority DVB Digital Video Broadcast. A digitaltelevision transmission standards family (as opposed to analogtelevision standards such as NTSC and PAL), used in most regions of theworld other than the United States and Japan. DVB-T refers to“terrestrial” (over the air) transmission, DVB-C is cable transmission,DVB-S is satellite transmission, and DVB-H is a format tailored tohandheld devices such as cell phones. DVD Digital Video Disk DVI DigitalVideo Interface, a successor to VGA for digital video interface tomonitors and TVs. In addition to having digital video pins, the DVIconnector also has provision for legacy analog VGA pins, such that a“converter dongle” may be used to adapt a DVI connector to a VGAmonitor/projector. Unlike HDMI, DVI connectors can output video only.EBL Extended Battery Life EC Embedded Controller, e.g., Hitachi H8EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory EF EastFork - initiative to include multiple new features into a brandedplatform. Functions and requirements defined in this document. EL EnergyLuminescent panel EMA Extended Mobile Access ENU English, as spoken inthe United States EPG Electronic Program Guide (like a TV Guide,obtained and viewed electronically) ESM Spanish, as spoken in Mexico ETMExtended Thermal Model (Camarillo run-time software) FCBGA Flip ChipBall Grid Array (known form factor used for packing silicon chips suchas CPUs) FIR Fast Infra Red FW Firmware FWH Firm Ware Hub, the flashmemory chip that contains the BIOS GMCH Graphics Memory Controller HubGPIO General Purpose Input Output GPRS General Packet Radio Service, asystem devised to enable data TCP/IP data communication over GSMnetworks. GPS Global Positioning System, developed by the U.S. militaryfor navigation and surveying. It relies on satellites for precisedetermination of locations. GSM Global System for Mobile communications,the most dominant of all second-generation digital mobile telephonystandards. GUI Graphical User Interface HD High Definition HDA HighDefinition Audio (“Azalia”) HDD Hard Disk Drive HDMI High DefinitionMultimedia Interface, a successor to DVI for high definition monitorsand TVs. It is possible to buy adaptor cables from DVI to HDMI. UnlikeDVI, HDMI connectors can also output audio. HIBCC Healthcare IndustryBar Code standard (data format for asset tagging using barcode or RFID).See http://www.hibcc.org HIPAA Health Insurance Portability andAccountability Act. See http://www.hipaa.org/ HW Hardware IA IntelArchitecture. IA-32 is 32-bit architecture. IA-32e is 32-bitarchitecture with 64-bit extensions. IA-64 is 64-bit architecture(Itanium family). ICH Input Output Controller Hub ICS Windows InternetConnection Sharing IHV Independent Hardware Vendor ISV IndependentSoftware Vendor IDE Integrated Device Electronics KSC Keyboard/SystemController, H8 microcontroller used for keyboard scan, battery charging,and miscellaneous system GPIO's. LAN Local Area Network LED LightEmitting Diode LH Longhorn LOM LAN On Motherboard LPC Low Pin Count LTOLong Term Orbit. A type of Assisted GPS data file obtained over theInternet and optionally cached on the notebook hard drive. This datafile contains predictive GPS satellite orbit tracks for 48 hours intothe future. LVDS Low Voltage Differential Signaling, a style of LCDpanel interface MB Mother Board MCH Memory Controller Hub MCE MediaCenter Edition MDC Mobile Daughter Card MDH Mobile Digital Home MEFMobile East Fork MEP Modular Embedded Protocol, an electrical andmessaging bus promulgated by Synaptics Corp. MPA Intel MPG MobilePlatform Architecture Operation MPEG Motion Picture Experts Group,standards body creating specifications for video encoding formats suchas MPEG2 and MPEG4. MPG Intel Mobile Platforms Group MS or MSFTMicrosoft N/A Not Applicable NAT Network Address Translation N/C Notconnected. Refers to an optional feature (usually an electrical signal)which is not used on a design, and so is left unconnected. NIC NetworkInterface Controller NMA Network Management Application NMPR IntelNetwork Media Product Requirements NOA Node Observation ArchitectureNTSC NTSC is the analog television system in use in Korea, Japan, UnitedStates, Canada and certain other places, mostly in the Americas. It isnamed for the National Television System(s) Committee, the industry-widestandardization body that created it. The term “NTSC” is often usedinformally to refer to a 525- line/60 Hz (principally USA/Japan)television system, and to differentiate from a 625-line/50 Hz(principally European) “PAL” system. ODD Optical Disc Drive ODM OriginalDesign Manufacturer OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer OOBE Out Of BoxExperience, what the user experiences when they first unpack the productfrom the box and try to install/use it. OS Operating System PAL PAL,short for phase-alternating line, phase alternation by line or for phasealternation line, is a color encoding system used in broadcasttelevision systems in large parts of the world. Other common analogtelevision systems are SECAM and NTSC. PAL was developed by Walter Bruchat Telefunken in Germany, and the format was first introduced in 1967.The term “PAL” is often used informally to refer to a 625-line/50 Hz(principally European) television system, and to differentiate from a525-line/60 Hz (principally USA/Japan) “NTSC” system. PATA Parallel ATAttachment, a style of HDD or ODD interface PC Personal Computer PCBPrinted Circuit Board PCI Peripheral Connect Interface PCIe PeripheralConnect Interface Express PDO Intel MPG Platform Delivery Operation PGAPin Grid Array PL Precision Location PRD Product Requirement DocumentPSB Processor System Bus PVR Personal Video Recorder, also known as aDVR, Digital Video Recorder PWM Pulse Width Modulation RAID RedundantArray of Inexpensive Disks RAM Random Access Memory RFC “Request ForComment”, an IETF specification RFID Radio Frequency Identification RIOUPnP Remote I/O ROM Read Only Memory RS-232 An electronics industryassociation (EIA) standard for serial communications. RSIO Reduced SuperInput Output RTC Real Time Clock RX Receive SATA Serial AT Attachment, astyle of HDD or ODD interface SCI System Control Interrupt, themechanism that en embedded controller uses to signal the host CPU incertain motherboard designs. SDVO Serial Digital Video Output SIO SuperInput Output SIM Subscriber Identity Module, a miniature “smart card”inserted into GSM phones that may securely contain identificationinformation and encryption keys, as well as in some cases, a protectedencryption execution environment. SMC System Management Controller SMPTESociety of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) refers tothis test pattern as Engineering Guideline EG 1-1990. The components ofthis pattern are a known standard, so comparing this pattern as receivedto that known standard gives video engineers an indication how an NTSCvideo signal has been altered by recording or transmission, and thuswhat compensation needs to be applied to that signal to bring it back tooriginal condition. The pattern is also used for setting a televisionmonitor or receiver to reproduce NTSC chrominance and luminanceinformation correctly. SOAP Simple Object Access Protocol, an XML-basedlightweight protocol for exchange of information in a decentralized,distributed environment. SODIMM Small Outline Dual In Line Memory ModuleSoft AP Soft Access point SPDIF Sony/Philips Digital Interface SSLSecure Sockets Layer STA Wireless LAN station (client of an AP) STATSystem Thermal Analysis Tool STB Set Top Box STM Synaptics ™ TouchModule, a printed circuit board containing a plurality of buttons andindicators, manufactured by Synaptics Corp. SV System Validation SWSoftware TBD To Be Determined TFT Thin Film Transistor, a knowntechnology used in the design and fabrication of pixel cells in LCDdisplay panels. TPM Trusted Platform Module TPV Third Party Vendor TVTelevision TX Transmit UHCI Universal Host Controller Interface UI UserInterface. Often graphical, see GUI. UPnP Universal Plug and Play USBUniversal Serial Bus UWB Ultra Wide Band, former name of Wireless USBVCOM Virtual COMmunications port, a device driver that looks like a realCOM port, but has no physical COM hardware associated with it. VCR VideoCassette Recorder VGA Video Graphics Array VO Visual Off (Energy LakeLite) VOIP Voice Over Internet Protocol VPN Virtual Private Network WLANWireless Local Area Network WMA Microsoft Windows Media Audio WMTSWireless Medical Telemetry Service WMV Microsoft Windows Media Video WNGIntel Wireless Networking Group WOL Wake on LAN WoW Wake on Wireless LANWoWLAN Wake on Wireless LAN WWAN Wireless Wide Area Network WZC WindowsZero Configuration, an automatic WLAN configuration scheme. WZP WindowsZero Provisioning, a follow-on to WZC that also provides for automaticprovisioning of DSL at home or WLAN at hotspots.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to an applet for a mobilecomputing device, comprising an element to detect user input and performappropriate associated actions, and to provide a cognitive aid for usersof the mobile computing device. The element utilizes a single devicedriver to detect and perform appropriate actions associated with theuser input. The device driver can be an ACPI-to-HID mapper driver. Userinput can be via button presses. The cognitive aid can comprise anon-screen tip and/or an audio tip. An on-screen tip can be provided foreach button. A configuration file can define details of user inputimplementation, and the details are read by the applet.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling operation of amobile computing device, comprising detecting user input and performingappropriate associated actions and providing a cognitive aid for usersof the mobile computing device.

The invention further relates to a cognitive aid for a mobile computingdevice having a display screen, the cognitive aid being displayed on thedisplay screen and being associated with an input vehicle of the mobilecomputing device that is connected to an embedded controller. Thecognitive aid provides relevant information to the user regarding theinput vehicle via on-screen tips and/or audio tips.

The invention still further relates to a method for assisting users of amobile computing device having a display screen. The method comprisesproviding a vehicle for user input to the mobile computing device andproviding a cognitive aid on the display screen, the cognitive aid beingassociated with the user input vehicle. The cognitive aid providesrelevant information to the user regarding the user input vehicle.

The invention also relates to a mobile computing device having anelement with standardized nomenclature for controlling HID-classbuttons. The standardized nomenclature is adapted to allow a singledevice driver to control all types of buttons, and map them to HID classbutton events, and to be re-usable for a variety of mobile computingdevice implementations. The device driver can be an ACPI-to-HID mapperdriver. A configuration file can define details of HID-class buttonimplementation, which are used to control the ACPI-to-HID mapper driverwithout changing source code for the ACPI-to-HID mapper driver.

The invention further relates to an applet for a mobile computing devicehaving a user input vehicle, comprising an element adapted to provide anend-user management graphical user interface and to gain knowledge aboutthe user input vehicle by reading a configuration file and communicatingvia a device driver without changing source code for the device driveror the applet. The mobile computing device can be configured for avariety of sites having different application requirements. The userinput vehicle can be configurable for a site-specific application.

An illustrative embodiment of the computer hardware component of amobile computing device according to the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. For exemplary purposes, the below discussion of the invention isembodied in a tablet PC. As shown, the tablet PC motherboard includes aCPU. In this embodiment, the illustrative CPU is a 478-ball Dothan ULVprocessor in a Micro-FCBGA package. The CPU may be soldered down to themotherboard or it may be socketed to facilitate the replacement ofdefective units, to permit the end-user to upgrade the processor, etc.The selected CPU runs nominally at 1.2 GHz in High Frequency mode and at600 MHz in Low Frequency mode. Other CPUs may be used, although size,heat dissipation, and power requirements may change in other parts ofthe system. Those skilled in the art will recognize and be able to adapthardware aspects that must be accommodated for other processors.

Faster processors, for example, may be larger in size and generate moreheat while consuming more power; and smaller processors may require lesspower and generate less heat that must be removed from the system. Theselected CPU can also support enhanced technologies for voltage andfrequency scaling.

The system memory may be determined based on the intended application ofthe tablet PC through the use of commercially available memory modules.The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 may contain a single-channel, 400MHz DDR2 capable SODIMM socket. A default configuration employing oneDRAM module of 1 GB size can accommodate a wide-variety of applications,although larger and smaller DRAM modules are available and can beinstalled at the time of manufacturing. In applications where the memoryis not hard-wired to the motherboard and the tablet PC chassis permitsopening by the user, the user or technician may be provided with theability to change memory modules to replace defective units or increasememory capacity.

A variety of commercially-available system clocks may be employed, aswell. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may employ aCK-410M Clock Synthesizer.

In communication with the processor via the motherboard's front-side busmight be the GMCH, or “North Bridge” as it is commonly referred to inthe art. The GMCH (memory and graphics controller) functions can beprovided by an Alviso SFF graphics/memory controller hub model “915GMS,”and packaged in an 840-ball, 27 mm×27 mm Micro-FCBGA package and isusually soldered to the motherboard. It may, in some instances, beuseful to provide the GMCH in a socketed configuration, if convenientsubstitution of the unit is desirable.

Video capability may be provided via a TFT, LCD, or other flat-paneldisplay that can be incorporated into the chassis of the device. In thepresent embodiment, only a single display is required, thus the analogTV-Out and digital SDVO outputs can be disabled on the graphicscontroller. Only the LVDS interface to an LCD panel, or other, isnecessary. Other outputs may be enabled and external ports may beprovided, with adequate safeguards taken to avoid increasing the risk offluid incursion into the chassis, in instances where external video isdesirable.

The ICH, also referred to as the “South Bridge”, provides I/Ocapabilities. In one embodiment of the present tablet, these servicesare provided by the ICH6-M I/O controller hub (ICH). This ICH mayprovide an x2 DMI interface to the “North Bridge”, a PCI Bus which canbe routed to one or more MiniPCI card connectors, a PCI Express (PCIe)Bus which may be routed to one or more MiniCard card connectors, a PATAinterface for providing a data path to a hard disk drive, and a SATAinterface. The SATA interface may or may not be used, depending on thenumber and types of data storage units required. Other storage deviceinterfaces may be used, as well, if a different ICH is selected for usein the tablet.

The ICH can also provide USB ports. The ICH6-M ICH provides Eight (8)USB ports for devices such as cameras, barcode readers, Bluetoothwireless communications controllers, docking connectors, etc. Other ICHsmay provide more or less, depending on the needs of the system and theanticipated number of USB peripherals. As well, the ICH should providean audio bus, to provide the device with sound capability. The ICH ofthis illustrative embodiment is; configurable for AC97 or AzaliaHigh-Definition Audio.

The ICH can also provide a LPC (Low Pin Count) Bus. The LPC bus mayconnect to the firmware hub, i.e., the Flash EEPROM storing the BIOScode and support the use of a KSC or embedded controller (in thisembodiment a Hitachi H-8 Keyboard/System Controller). The LPC may alsoprovide a communications path to a Super-I/O chip with two RS-232Cserial ports; and a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip that providessecurity key storage. Variations between available ICHs may permitdifferent hardware to be connected to the system via the ICH toaccommodate varying hardware configurations.

The system may also employ thermal sensors to permit monitoring ofthermal conditions within the chassis and for various components on themotherboard. Most modern CPU's, such as the one employed in theexemplary embodiment, include an on-die thermal sensor. Further, anexternal thermal diode positioned very near the CPU package can beconnected to a remote thermal sensor. The remote thermal sensor's SMBusmay interface with the KSC's SMBus and also with the processor's“Critical Thermal” pin. When the “Critical Thermal” pin is driven, theprocessor is designed to perform an emergency shutdown. Typically, whensuch a shutdown occurs, the operating system state will not be saved.Prior to that event, the current temperature can be read via the KSC,and the KSC may also be programmed to provide a warning interrupt when atemperature threshold (also called a “thermal trip point”) is crossed.Additional sensors may be employed to increase the level of monitoringor for system-design debugging purposes.

System power may be provided by an internal system battery pack or bymounting in a dock which provides an external connection to an AC/DCconverter “brick”. The battery pack can be charged through an on-boardcharger using, for example, a battery charger controller controlled bythe KSC. The charger may then be used to charge and control thebatteries and provide system regulation of +12.6 VDC when external poweris provided. When only battery power is available the voltage maytypically range from a maximum of about +12.6 VDC (fully charged) downto a minimum of about +9.0 VDC (at discharge cut-off). Different powersupply schemes, of course, may result in variations of the minimum andmaximum voltages.

The power from the two paths described above is typically input to mostof the on-board voltage regulator circuits to provide power to allsystem components. The input voltage may be converted by variouscommercially available components to provide a variety of rail voltages.In the present embodiment, a 4-in-1 controller (e.g., a TPS5130) may beemployed to develop the system voltage rails including, at least, +5.0V,+3.3V, +2.5V, and “+1.5V ALWAYS”. Other voltage rails may be developedand supplied to peripherals and system hardware by employing appropriatevoltage controllers.

Typically, chipset and memory subsystems require separate regulation toprovide +1.8V, +0.9V, and +1.05V. This power may be provided by two dualregulator circuits with one providing the memory supply and the otherthe VCCP and GMCH core power.

Various “always” power rails may be switched using FETs (Field EffectTransistors) to provide switched rails when system S-states requirepower to be controlled on or off at various times.

According to the present, illustrative embodiment, six (6) Lithiumprismatic cells, such as the Panasonic CGA103450A, are bundled into asingle battery pack in a 3S2P geometry. A charging controller board mayalso be included in this package. Each cell typically provides 1950 mAhof storage nominally at 3.7 VDC, for a total pack capacity of 3900 mAhat 11.1 VDC.

At an average and continuous system consumption rate, for example about12 W, a battery life of approximately 3½ hours on a single charge may beanticipated. When the system is in suspend or hibernate modes, batterylife will be extended. During times of heavy use (complex computation),battery life will shorten.

The dock may also contain a charging cavity for a second battery, whichcan preferably be “warm swapped” (exchanged without powering down thesystem) with a discharged battery while the tablet PC is stationed inthe dock and receiving A/C power.

An A/C power “brick” typically provides electrical service to the dock.The A/C power brick may be one such as the Powertron ElectronicsCorporation model F10653-A. This pack is designed to connect to the wallsource power on one end, and the docking cradle on the other end. Such abrick may accept input at 110 VAC to 240 VAC from 47 Hz to 63 Hz, soshould be usable worldwide, assuming the correct physical adaptor plugis used. Typically, units manufactured for the North American marketmight be supplied with a 3-prong (grounded) plug. Other plugs, ofcourse, can be used to accommodate power outlet configurations usedelsewhere in the world.

Illustratively, the power brick may provide output at +19 VDC ±5% at amaximum of about 3.42 A and have a barrel-type plug with positivevoltage on “tip” and ground on “ring”. Other styles of power bricks toprovide for other voltage requirements, lower voltage tolerances, andhigher or lower anticipated current requirements are known in the art.

An embodiment of the tablet PC is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown, thetablet PC may have a thin and light design targeted to the healthcarevertical market segment and tailored to predicted usage models primarilyby nurses and secondarily by doctors. Key system design features mightinclude a rugged, rounded, professional appearance and a sealed chassisresistant to bio-fluids and germ growth. The chassis should beconstructed in a manner permitting it to withstand cleaning usinganti-bacterial reagents. It is also desirable to provide an ergonomiclayout with carry handle and peripheral positioning.

When used to provide a tablet-style PC for use in hospitals or aclinical environment, the chassis may be designed to provide for theintegration of technological features such as a stethoscope, vital signsmonitoring equiment (temperature, blood pressure, etc.), or otherperipherals desired for medical professionals. In one embodiment, thesedevices communicate wirelessly with the tablet PC via Bluetooth, 802.11wireless protocol, or other wireless data transmission protocol.

The chassis may comprise the following components, illustrated in FIGS.3 and 4: a front plate; frame, an electronic assembly for the LCD orother display screen, a digitizer (not shown), a motherboard (LCD/MBassembly) and daughter-cards (not shown). A back plate may include ahandle assembly and a heat spreader/sink. It may be desirable to providea back plate that includes a flat-plate comprised of a metal thatdissipates heat quickly, such as magnesium, titanium, aluminum, copper,etc. The heat spreader plate may, as well, be in physical contact withmotherboard components that require heat dissipation, such as the CPU,although such contact may be made via substances such as thermal greaseor intermediate layers of heat-conductive metal. This permits theback-plate of the tablet PC to act as a heat-sink, thereby avoiding theneed for internal fans or other means for heat removal that maycompromise the unit's ability to resist penetration by fluids, moisture,and other contaminants.

In the illustrative embodiment, the battery pack may incorporate a capthat provides a mating seal to the handle assembly. A stethoscope, orother peripheral, may be formed to insert into a void (or recessedcavity) in the acrylic surface and rest in a cavity sculpted orotherwise formed in the frame. The construction materials, of course,are merely presented for purposes of illustration, those skilled in theart will recognize that a wide variety of metals and plastics may besubstituted for any of the chassis components, provided that issues withmagnetic and electrical shielding for the components and variousantennae are accounted for.

To provide a chassis that is well-sealed to be water/fluid resistant andresistant to cleaning with industrial chemical solvents, or othermaterials, the chassis components may be assembled with interposingrubber o-ring gaskets, or similar gaskets able to providefluid-resistance for each of the seams where chassis components meet.

All seams in a system designed to be fluid resistant should generally begasketed to prevent fluid penetration into the system. A main gasketthat seals the top and bottom subassemblies would typically be provided.This gasket also integrates the “hard” buttons (e.g., power, camerashutter, barcode/RFID scanner, etc.) to provide sealed button actuation,where buttons or a button pad are employed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cap contains a rubberdiaphragm that forms a compression seal against the handle area. Thefasteners preferably use o-rings or silicon for sealed assembly.

In order to achieve a high degree of thermal performance, the primarycomponents may be cooled by the integrated chassis/heatsink. Forexample, the chassis may be made of injection molded magnesium frame, orother suitable highly heat conductive material. The frame may then becoupled directly to the CPU, GMCH, and ICH or indirectly via thermalgrease or intermediate layers of heat conductive material.

A thermal shield may be implemented over the top of the chassis/heatsinkto limit the heat transfer rate from the heatsink to the user. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, no fans or system vents areprovided, which maintains sealability of the system.

According to the structure describe above, the system is passivelycooled. Heat is transferred out of the system via conduction, naturalconvection, and radiation. An insulating shield may be applied to theback of the display screen, for example an LCD, to maintain its requiredambient temperature and provide a more uniform temperature profileacross the surface of the display.

FIG.5 illustrates an exemplary placement of a camera button, blue toothchip antenna board, Wi-Fi antenna, RFID antenna board, battery connectorboard, docking connector board, barcode camera, and portrait camera in achassis. Design criteria for component placement may include factorssuch as magnetic and electrical shielding, thermal shielding ordissipation, RF interference, space constraints, and ergonomics. Thislist, however, is merely illustrative and not exhaustive of theconsiderations necessary for component placement; and no single solutionmay necessarily be better than others.

As previously mentioned, the device will ordinarily include a displayscreen, such as an LCD, TFT, or other light-weight, portable display.The illustrative system uses an AND Displays 10.4″ inch color TFT/LCDModule, model ANDpSi104EA5S-HB. This display supports XGA(1024(H)×768(V)) screen resolution and 262 K (RGB 6-bits data driver) or16.7M (RGB 8-bits data driver) color depths. The input signals are LVDSinterface compatible and it uses a single side-firing CCFL backlight.

Power consumption is 3.7 W typical (using standard SMPTE test pattern)when running at full intensity of 180 nits (cd/m2). Power consumption at60 nits is 2.87 W. The LCD display, a digitizer, and motherboard may bemated as a single assembly, and shock-mounted to the chassis. The systemmay also include a backlight inverter (see FIG. 1).

An embodiment of the system includes a DB-15 connector for VGA externaldisplay connection, but will ordinarily be unused, as VGA connectors arenot sealable. The connector is typically not stuffed on motherboardsthat are assembled into a chassis, but users requiring external videomay desire a tablet PC that offers this feature.

The system may also incorporate a digitizer (see FIG. 1). In theillustrative embodiment, the digitizer is a Wacom SU-001-A 10.4″diagonal electromagnetic (inductive) digitizer that underlaps the LCD.This digitizer has a true resolution accuracy of 0.001 mm (2540dots/inch) and may report up to 133 points/second during stylus motion.

The system may also be equipped with a stylus, to permit data entrydirectly into the device via the digitizer. In the illustrativeembodiment, the stylus is passive. A suitable stylus device includes theWacom “Penabled Tablet PC Slim Pen”, model MP200-00 that is 5.5 mm indiameter. The pen can report 256 different levels of pressure when thestylus is pressed against the acrylic LCD protector. The stylus can besensed at distances between 5 mm and 14 mm away from the digitizer board(this includes the thickness of the LCD panel, air gap, and a protectiveacrylic cover). The system may accommodate the stylus in a recessedcaddy area, as shown in FIG. 6.

Tablet PC also refers to a computer, such as a personal computer or amobile computing device, incorporating various convenient and intuitiveaspects of pencil and paper into a user's interaction with the computer.The term “computer” may include at least one central processing unit orCPU (processor) connected to a host bus. The CPU may be any of varioustypes, including an x86 processor, e.g., a Pentium class, a PowerPCprocessor, a CPU from the SPARC family of RISC processors, as well asothers. The computer system may also include various memory mediums,typically including RAM and referred to as main memory. The main memorymay store one or more programs implementing the present invention. Themain memory may also store operating system software, as well as othersoftware for operation of the computer system. The term “mobilecomputing device,” as used herein, means any computing device intendedto move location while maintaining functionality. Mobile computingdevices can include, for example, laptop computers, sub-notebooks,personal digital assistants, portable data terminals, tablet PCs, andeven smartphones.

To facilitate data and software storage, the system may contain at leastone mass storage device, such as an integrated hard disk drive (HDD).Illustratively, the HDD may be a Toshiba 20 Gigabyte 1.8-inch diameterdrive, model MK2008GAL. This HDD uses PATA as the interface to thebaseboard. There is typically provided a PATA connector directly on theon the baseboard that may be used for a ribbon-cable connection to the“CE” style connector on the HDD. This drive is 5.0 mm thick, making itsuitable for use in a portable device such as a tablet PC.

The illustrative embodiment of the tablet PC may include a wireless LANsubsystem. This may consist of a MiniPCI connector on the motherboard,with a Wi-Fi card installed. The commercially available IntelPRO/Wireless 2915 ABG is suitable for use in the illustrativeembodiment. It supports the IEEE industry standards 802.11 a, b and g.

Certain peripheral devices may be connected to the tablet PC viawireless LAN or Bluetooth technology. The present device may, therefore,also incorporate a Bluetooth controller such as the Taiyo YudenEYSFCCSXX module, to provide Bluetooth capability for the system. Thisdevice incorporates the CSR (Cambridge Silicon Radio) “Bluecore 4” radiochip, operating in the 2.4 GHz band. The module implements Bluetooth 2.0specifications, and includes AFH (advanced frequency hopping) and EDR(enhanced data rate) functions. The module interfaces to the systemusing one of the USB ports available via the ICH.

The Taiyo Yuden EYSFCCSXX module also supports WiFi coexistence “Phase2” capability. This reduces the interference between the Bluetooth andthe WiFi radios when they are operating simultaneously. The two moduleshave a communication channel that they use to inform one another aboutwhen they are transmitting, and what WiFi channel is being used. TheBluetooth module attempts to choose a different channel in the 2.4 GHzband which does not conflict with the WiFi channel in use (determined byaccess point association).

The WMTS subsystem may also include a “dual stuffing option” connectorlayout on the motherboard. The motherboard, therefore, may containcontacts (“pads”) for both MiniPCI and MiniCard (aka Mini-PCI Express)socket connectors. These pads are designed to use substantially the samephysical volume inside the system.

An OEM employing this feature would determine, at manufacturing time,which connector to solder to the motherboard, since most compact chassislayouts will permit only one can be used at a time. Then the OEM mayinsert the appropriate form-factor WMTS card into the system beforesealing the chassis.

In instances where the tablet PC user will benefit from having an RFIDreader incorporated into the device, a suitable hardware solution mayinclude the Texas Instruments 7961 RFID reader chip and companion MSP430microcontroller. This device may be connected via an RS-232 interface atTTL levels (i.e., +5 VDC and Ground, vs. the more conventional +12 VDCand −12 VDC) to the COM2 port of the Super-IO. This T.I. chip supportsRFID protocols ISO 15693, ISO 14443, and T.I.'s “Tag-It”.

The RFID reader is a relatively low power device and has a short readingrange on the order of 4 to 5 centimeters. Its antenna should bepositioned as far away from any metal as reasonably possible, to readeffectively. As a result, the user should position the RFID-taggedobject near the antenna location for scanning.

An audio subsystem may be incorporated into the device to provide soundoutput. One suitable device is based on a Realtek ALC202 codec, which iscompliant with the AC'97 specifications. The system may also contain aninternal power amplifier to more effectively drive the internal speaker.Exemplary of such amplifiers is the LM4960SQ. A single mono speaker, acustom-designed piezo-electric transducer, can provide rudimentary audiooutput. The transducer may be mounted to the back of the display screenprotector in the area between the medical peripheral slot (stethoscope)and the handle cutout. If higher-quality audio output is desired, aBluetooth headset may be used, to avoid the need to add I/O ports to thechassis. For that same reason, the illustrative embodiment employs amicrophone input via a Bluetooth headset when sound is desired.

In order to avoid increased risk of penetration by fluids andcontaminants, the tablet PC will generally not include externallyaccessible audio I/O jacks, as such jacks would create difficulties inmaintaining the sealed nature of the system. If for any reason the enduser requires external audio jacking, a USB audio device (e.g., CreativeSoundBlaster Audigy 2 NX) may be installed into one of the free USBports in the dock.

The system integrates a number of buttons and indicators, the functionsand features of which are illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. Each button isassigned a “button number” which refers to the button ID assigned by theKSC. This number may be used by the KSC to report button presses to anACPI-to-HID mapper driver. HID refers to Human Interface Device. Thisdriver may then translate the button press into an HID code for furtherprocessing. The system may include “soft” buttons. A “soft” button isone managed by the Synaptics mobile touch module (STM); there is notactile feedback from these capacitive buttons. A “hard” button is aphysical momentary switch that includes tactile feedback. A “virtual”button does not have a user-accessible physical existence; it is only asoftware-controllable abstraction of a GPIO signal that can be driven bythe KSC.

HID class buttons are buttons reported in the form of HID inputmessages, as described in specifications promulgated by the USBImplementer's Forum, for example: USB Serial Bus Specification, Revision2.0, 27 Apr. 2000; USB Device Class Definition for Human InterfaceDevices (HID), version 1.11, 27 Jun. 2001; USB HID Usage Tables, version1.12, 21 Jan. 2005.

The “STM” refers to the Synaptics mobile touch module, a commerciallyavailable product which may be used in accordance with the illustrativeembodiment of the invention. Other button-handling solutions will berecognized by those skilled in the art and are contemplated by thepresent invention. The STM may contain both capacitive buttons and LEDsintegrated into a single package. The STM interfaces to the KSC using a“MEP” protocol defined by the manufacturer.

The illustrative device will generally include a power button that isused to turn the system on and off, and also to put a running systeminto sleep or hibernate modes (per Windows Control Panel configurationsettings, when a Windows O/S is used). The KSC monitors the user pressof a physical button and sends onward the appropriate signal to thepower and voltage regulation circuitry. In addition, the KSC monitorsthe CPU state as represented by status pins on the ICH, and may reflectthe appropriate status condition on a power LED.

The applet may respond to the HID code by instructing the KSC topower-up the camera and RFID readers, turn on the white illuminationLED, and then via USB instruct the camera to grab image frames forbarcode analysis and decoding. Simultaneously, via an RS-232 interface,the RFID reader may be instructed to begin searching for nearby RFIDtags. When either one of the barcode decode or RFID scanning functionsreturns a successful result, the applet may instruct the KSC to turn offthe illumination LED, power-down the camera, and the RFID reader. Asused herein, “applet” generally refers to a software component that runsin the context of another program, such as a web browser or anotherdefined framework. An applet usually performs a narrow function that hasno independent use.

Synaptics Touch Module (STM) soft buttons may be used for various systemmanagement functions. The STM can contain an embedded microcontrollerthat interfaces to the KSC using a “MEP” (Modular Embedded Protocol)interface. When the STM reports a button press to the KSC, the KSC sendsan SCI interrupt signal to the ACPI framework. This is delivered to theACPI-to-HID mapper driver which translates it into the appropriate HIDbutton code. An applet responds to the HID code by performing theappropriate function, and in some cases, instructing the KSC to turn onor off specific LEDs by forwarding the command to the STM. In oneembodiment of the invention, wireless activity status LEDs ( for eitheror both WiFi and Bluetooth) are driven to the STM directly by thewireless card(s) rather than via the KSC. A performance advantage may begained in this manner.

For security, a device such as the Infineon SLB9635TT TPM may be used tostore credentials securely on the computing device. This device ispackaged in a 28-pin TSSOP package, and connects to the ICH via the LowPin Count (LPC) bus. It is compliant with TPM 1.2 specifications.

The tablet PC user may desire a “dock” for the tablet PC. The device maybe inserted into the dock to recharge the batteries and to addadditional functionality to the device via additional I/O ports,external graphics ports, etc. An embodiment of the dock is illustratedin FIGS. 10-12. The dock is preferably configured to house the tablet PCin a manner that allows it to stand upright and still have the screen becompletely viewable. It might include battery charging contacts for thetablet, as well as a charging cavity for a spare battery. LED indicatorscan be provided to communicate charging status.

The dock may contain a USB hub (presently, USB 2.0 is the most commonsolution). USB functionality may be implemented with a device such asthe Philips ISP 1520 USB controller chip in an LQFP64 package. The hubchip has 1 upstream port (goes to the docking connector) and 4downstream ports. Of the 4 downstream ports, 3 of them are exposed asexternal USB “type B” sockets. The final downstream port connects to theEthernet chip. The hub supports USB2.0 data transfer at high-speed (480Mb/s) and at legacy (USB1.1) full-speed (12 Mb/s) and low-speed (1.5Mb/s) rates.

The dock may also contain an Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) interface. This mightbe implemented with the Asix AX88772LF chip in a LQFP128 package TheEthernet chip, desirably, contains both MAC and PHY in a single package,and supports USB2.0 and 802.3 operation at 100 Mb/s and 10 Mb/s. TheEthernet interface may be available on the dock via an external RJ45socket. A docking connector, in the figures shown as a flush-mounted,injection molded port, provides power and USB connectivity between thetablet PC and the dock. The dock will, generally, also include necessaryA/C power components and cabling.

An illustrative embodiment of the tablet PC includes at least oneperipheral data-acquisition device for use by healthcare professionals.Such a device might include a Bluetooth-enabled stethoscope, as shown inFIG. 13, for use by a clinician to examine heart and lung sounds ofpatients. The stethoscope may include a rechargeable battery (ornon-rechargeable battery) and be capable of transmitting audio-outputdirectly to a headset worn by the user (typically the headset will alsobe Bluetooth-enabled). Alternatively, the stethoscope may transmit tothe tablet PC and the tablet PC retransmit the audio output to a headsetworn by the user or play the sound via the tablet's internal audiosystem and speaker.

The stethoscope may include numerous buttons and indicators to permitthe user to change the audio output device, set the type of measurementbeing taken, and perform basic functions (such as turn the device on andoff). The stethoscope may also transmit information to the tablet PCrelating to battery level, include audio filters to permit more accurateaudio representation of a patient's heartbeat, lung function, etc., orinclude other functions desired by the healthcare professional.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize how to implementlow-level software features such as the system BIOS. In the illustrativetablet PC, however, the BIOS may be configured to implement ACPI controlmethods for abstracted application control of buttons and LEDs that aremanaged by the KSC. Applications generally send HID messages, which areprocessed by the ACPI-to-HID mapper driver, which in turn invokes theACPI methods in the BIOS. When a button is pressed, the BIOS generates a“notify event” to the operating system. The driver will capture thisevent, and call the BTNS method to obtain the details of the buttonpress event.

Further, the ACPI-to-HID mapper driver may provide a system-independentway for application software to control and communicate with buttons andLEDs integrated into a computing device that are controlled by theKeyboard/System Controller (KSC). This driver may simultaneously existas an HID class mini-driver (for interfacing to the Windows operatingsystem and applications) and an ACPI Driver (for interfacing to the BIOSand the KSC).

On its top interface, the ACPI-to-HID mapper driver communicates withthe HID class driver to obtain HID LED setting messages (“outputreports”), and to deliver HID button input messages (“input reports”).The driver automatically configures itself by reading configurationinformation from a registry, such as a Windows registry (in instanceswhere a Windows operating system is used, as in the illustrativeembodiment which might use the Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 operatingsystem) in order to know the HID codes that it should pay attention to(for LED settings) and the HID codes that it should generate (for buttonpresses).

On its bottom interface, the driver registers for ACPI Events generatedfrom the BIOS plus KSC, and invokes ACPI Control Methods to sendcommands to the BIOS plus KSC. The KSC (also known as the EC) actuallyconnects to buttons and LEDs integrated into the system.

The BIOS may also implement ACPI control methods for reporting thetemperature values of thermal sensors that are managed by the KSC or forreporting the power usage values of wattage sensors.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the illustrativetablet PC includes buttons providing various system functions whilestill maintaining its fluid-resistant sealed design. The buttonsfacilitate user input. The buttons may be, for example, touch-sensitive.In addition to the buttons array, buttons and a GUI of a “dashboardapplet” is provided, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The dashboard applet maybe, for example, a Systray applet that controls the operation of thedevice by detecting button presses, performing the associated actions,and changing the state of LEDs associated with the buttons asappropriate. The dashboard applet provides end-user assistance in theform of on-screen “tool tips” whose visibility can be exposed or hidden.

The applet becomes aware of any HID-class buttons and LEDs because itinterfaces with the HID class driver (see FIG. 9). The HID class drivercentralizes all HID class activity on the computer, regardless of theoriginating driver (e.g., ACPI-to-HID mapper driver, USB keyboarddriver, Bluetooth keyboard driver) for the activity. The applet thenbecomes aware of (e.g., by reading the system registry) the correct HIDmessage formats and content necessary to communicate with all of theHID-class buttons. The system registry would therefore contain all ofthe necessary HID message formats.

In an embodiment of the invention, the buttons include a touch-sensitivebutton array. The array may be located, for example, to the right of thechassis handle, as shown in FIG. 14. Alternatively, the array can belocated along a bottom portion of the chassis (not shown). The buttonarray may further include an LED array that illuminates the buttons inaccordance with the desired functionality of the buttons as described inmore detail below. A user can manipulate the buttons from an exteriorsurface of the mobile computing device. As an alternative to buttons,the present invention contemplates employing other suitable inputvehicles such as switches, touch-sensitive transducers, dials, knobs,sliders, etc. As an alternative to LEDs, the present inventioncontemplates utilizing liquid crystal displays and vacuum fluorescentdisplays. FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment with nine buttons having LEDindicators, although any suitable number of buttons and indicators maybe employed. Not every button must have an associated LED. Indeed, thepresent invention contemplates a device without LEDs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the function of one or more of thebuttons and LEDs can be tailored to the usage model of the verticalmarket segment. The device can therefore be optimized for the usageneeds of end users such as medical practitioners in a hospital orclinical setting, although one skilled in the art will appreciate thatmany variations may be practiced.

In an embodiment of the invention, a printed circuit board for thebutton array is internally mounted and connected to the mobile computingdevice via an electrical “bus” interface. The illustrated embodimentemploys a GPIO interface via the embedded controller (or the KSC) thatemulates the interface for the bus of the printed circuit board. Theembedded controller has the firmware for emulation, and presentsinformation from the printed circuit board and translates it to be ACPIcompliant before being sent to the BIOS. Operating system has access tosubroutines in the BIOS via an ACPI class driver. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that various buses may be employed, including but notlimited to USB, FireWire, PS/2, PCI, and PCI Express. This electrical“bus” interface allows three classes of operation between the software(such as, for example, device drivers and/or application programs) andthe hardware to: (1) receive events when the physical buttons arepressed by the user; (2) query/determine the current state of the LEDindicators; (3) turn on or off the LED indicators, accordingly; (4)query/determine a current state of the GPIOs ; and (5) turn on or offGPIO signals (also called “virtual buttons”). The GPIOs may be used forvarious internal functions, including for example enabling/disablingradios, power management, and managing internal hardware devices such ascameras, barcode readers, wireless communications controllers, dockingconnectors, etc.

According to an embodiment of the invention, dashboard applet cognitiveaids are associated with the user input vehicles (e.g., the buttons andindicators) and preferable are tailored for the intended use of thetablet PC. The cognitive aids provide relative information to the userregarding the associated input vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment asshown in FIG. 7, the following can be employed:

-   -   1. Visual representation of the cognitive aids can be presented        in a full/expanded mode, hidden, or reduced. In a preferred        embodiment, the on-screen graphics appear in a semi-transparent        manner, to avoid obscuring the underlying screen graphics. In a        particularly preferred embodiment, the on-screen graphics        transition to a more opaque look when the mouse cursor hovers        over them.    -   2. Each on-screen button representation can change its        appearance (e.g., color) to highlight the state of the        associated indicator LED or GPIO. For example, when the patient        alert LED is illuminated, the on-screen graphic can change from        a white background to a yellow background.    -   3. Each on-screen button representation can be associated with a        textual hint or “tool tip” that appears when the mouse cursor        hovers over the on-screen graphic. This tool tip can be        presented in language appropriate for the user.    -   4. Each on-screen button representation can additionally be        associated with an audible hint or “voice prompt” that is heard        when the user presses the physical button. This voice prompt can        be presented in any language appropriate for the user.        Differentiated voice prompts can be played depending on the        current state of the GPIO or associated LED indicator. For        example, the first time the voice annotation button is pressed,        the LED can be illuminated and the voice prompt can play        “recording started.” A subsequent press can cause the LED to be        turned off and the voice prompt can play “recording finished.”

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the requirements ofthe dashboard applet include one or more of the following:

-   -   1. Detecting button presses, performing associated functions,        and changing the state of associated LEDs as appropriate.    -   2. Providing clear explanations of the functionality of buttons,        preferably through a combination of on-screen tips and voice        messages.    -   3. Providing instructions for recovering from accidental or        incorrect button presses and restoring the computer to its        previous state. The Synaptics Touch Module (STM), noted above,        provides the ability to reject false button presses to a certain        extent.    -   4. Providing a method for assigning configurable buttons of the        touch-sensitive button array (see FIG. 14), and preferably also        allowing system designers to create registry entries that is        published accordingly so that applications can be written to        push down settings for the configurable buttons, for example via        the system registry. In an exemplary embodiment of the        invention, three buttons can be configurable for site-specific        applications such as: (1) in-patient electronic medical        records; (2) out-patient electronic medical records; and (3)        physician medical information reference.    -   5. Providing a method for switching a “locale” setting for the        computer, and adapting the text and voice prompts accordingly        for the selected locale. For example, some sites may have a user        population fluent in more than one language, such as English and        Spanish in the U.S., and English and French in Canada.    -   6. Thermal sensor temperature reporting, and other advanced        computer monitoring and maintenance functions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the dashboard applet runsautomatically when the user logs in. The touch-sensitive button arrayand dashboard applet may additionally be responsible or provideassistance for camera capture, barcode or RFID scanning, wireless devicepairing, wireless network connection, radio operation, audio settings,handwriting recognition, and user authentication.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 14, having nine buttons with LEDindicators, the buttons may have functionality as set forth in thefollowing table.

Button 1 Screen image rotation, 90 degrees per (No accompanying LEDindicator) press. Button 2 Wireless radio activation and LED 1 Wirelessradio activity; indicator deactivation, toggles between the two flashesgreen according to activity settings. level. LED 2 All wireless radiosdeactivated; indicator shows yellow when deactivated. Button 3 Computersecurity action sequence, LED 3 Computer is secure when indicatorequivalent to “Control Alt Delete”. shows yellow. Button 4 Initiatewireless communication LED 4 Wireless communication radio pairingsequence. activity; indicator flashes blue according to activity level.Button 5 Patient alert. LED 5 Indicator flashes red when patient needsattention. Button 6 Start/stop recording voice annotation, LED 6Actively recording audio when toggles between the two settings.indicator shows red. Button 7 Activate medical application 1. LED 7Green status indicator as programmed by medical application 1. Button 8Activate medical application 2. LED 8 Green status indicator asprogrammed by medical application 2. Button 9 Activate medicalapplication 3. LED 9 Green status indicator as programmed by medicalapplication 3.

In an embodiment of the invention, the appearance of the cognitive aids(i.e., the on-screen tips) consists of two components: (1) theapplication shows an icon in the system tray and allows the user tobring up associated menus for visibility of on-screen tips (e.g.,hidden, visible, and expended), locale selection (e.g., English,Spanish, French), about (e.g., copyright and version information), andexit (to exit the dashboard applet); and (2) on-screen tips provide aGUI including an explanation of the touch-sensitive button array, andcan appear in hidden, visible, and expanded views that take up differentamounts of space on the screen. The tips preferably have an “always ontop” default setting and can additionally be 50% transparent so that theunderlying screen can still be seen. Additionally, the tips may changeto 0% transparent when the cursor moves over them. In the hidden view,there are no tips on the screen. In the visible view, for example, alimited number of tips can be displayed. In an embodiment of theinvention, the tips are limited to the three configurable medicalapplications. In the expanded view, for example, the tips for all of thetouch-sensitive buttons can be displayed. It is to be understood that awide variety of appearance attributes of the dashboard applet arecontemplated by the present invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, the appearance and othercharacteristics of the on-screen tips are configured from the systemregistry.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a general purpose methodfor loading program subroutines, such as an ACPI-to-HID mapper driver,into an operating system such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, etc., forinvoking ACPI control methods via the operating system and/orapplication software running in the context of the operating system. TheACPI-to-HID mapper driver allows manipulation of hardware in anoperating system and allows the behavior resulting from user input to behardware-independent. The ACPI-to-HID mapper driver configures itselfvia an external configuration file that provides system design specifics(e.g., how many buttons and indicators, and their characteristics) andallows a single driver to be used, or re-used, on multiple systemdesigns with minimal or no change.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the dashboard appletprovides some behaviors to meet the needs of the system design based onthe intended use of the tablet PC, and also provides some end-usercognitive aids for using the hardware. End-user cognitive aids, as usedherein, include any type of helpful information communicated to a userof the device. Behavior, as used herein, refers to what does or shouldoccur when the user takes an action with respect to the mobile computingdevice, such as pressing a button.

Dashboard applet behavior for the buttons and indicators is tailored asappropriate for the intended use of the tablet PC. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the device includes wireless communicationradios such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, each having its own activity LED, an“RF Kill” button, and internal GPIO signals that control the “RF Kill”signal to the radios. In this exemplary embodiment, the dashboard appletincorporates a software algorithm that will: (1) sense when a userpresses the RF Kill button; (2) determine the current state of RF Killoperation (i.e., asserted or not); (3) toggle the state of RF Killoperation to its opposite, as requested; (4) when asserting the RF Killstate, turning on the RF Kill GPIO signal to the wireless communicationradio(s) and the RF Kill LED; (5) when de-asserting the RF Kill state,turning off the RF Kill GPIO signal to the wireless communicationradio(s) and the RF Kill LED. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat a variety of algorithms could be employed in response to a userbutton press stimulus.

The present invention provides a standardized nomenclature and methodfor using ACPI control methods for controlling buttons, indicators, andsimilar devices. A single/standard ACPI device driver controls buttons,indicators, and similar devices, and is re-usable from one mobilecomputing device implementation to another. A configuration file can beused to define the details of a given mobile computing device button andindicator implementation, and those details can be used to control anACPI-to-HID mapper driver without changing source code for theACPI-to-HID mapper driver or the applet. A control panel applet can anprovide end-user management GUI that gains knowledge about the specificbuttons and indicators on a given mobile computing device by reading theconfiguration file and communicating via a single ACPI-to-HID mapperdriver without changing source code for the ACPI-to-HID mapper driver orthe applet. “Gains knowledge,” as used herein, refers to readingconfiguration settings stored in a configuration file (e.g., the systemregistry).

A consistent naming and implementation scheme allows the system designsto be developed more rapidly. Often the most time-consuming developmentitem is the device driver. This approach allows the driver to be reusedfrom design to design, with only a configuration file change. BIOS andfirmware development can be done faster because the interfaces are knownin advance and don't need to be specified from scratch. Most of thefocus can be applied to the dashboard applet that is one of the keytouch points by the target users, and will return the most value.

EXAMPLE

The following tables set forth exemplary HID codes, associated LEDs,functions, text captions, optional voice messages, and algorithms foreach button in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 14.

Button 1: Screen image rotation

Button Number 1 HID Code(s) Page = 0x0c, Usage = 0x01, Button Usage =0x37. Associated LEDs None. Purpose The screen image rotates by 90degrees (¼-turn) on each button press. This allows transition fromlandscape to portrait viewing orientation. Text Caption ENU: “ScreenRotation. Rotate screen image 90 degrees.” ESM: “Rotación de Pantalla.Rote la imagen de pantalla por 90 grados.” Voice Messages Message 1A:ENU: “Rotating screen image by 90 degrees. To return the view to the wayit just was, press the button three more times.” ESM: “Imagen depantalla que rota por 90 grados. Para volver la visión a la manera queapenas estaba, que presione el botón tres veces más.” Algorithm CaptureHID code Play Message 1A Send IO_Control to graphics driver

Button 2: Wireless radio activation and deactivation

Button Number 2 HID Code(s) Page = 0x0C, Usage = 0x01, Button Usage =0x1AD. Associated LEDs LED1: WiFi activity signal routed directly fromWiFi card, with KSC programmatic enable/suppress. LED2: RF Killindicator. Purpose Enable/disable all wireless radios, disable is alsocalled “RF Kill”. The KSC microcontroller actually performs the RF Killaction, and reports the HID code. Text Caption ENU: “Wireless. Activateor deactivate all wireless radios.” ESM: “Radios sin hilos. Active odesactive todas las radios sin hilos.” Voice Messages Message 2A: ENU:“Deactivating all wireless radios. This results in disconnection fromthe wireless network and all wireless peripheral devices. To restoreconnectivity, press the button again.” ESM: “Desactivar todas las radiossin hilos. Esto da lugar a la desconexión de la red sin hilos y de todoslos dispositivos periféricos sin hilos. A la conectividad del restore,presiona el botón otra vez.” Message 2B: ENU: “Activating all wirelessradios. This results in reconnection to the wireless network and allwireless peripheral devices. To disconnect, press the button again.”ESM: “Activar todas las radios sin hilos. Esto da lugar a la reconexióna la red sin hilos y a todos los dispositivos periféricos sin hilos. Ala desconexión, presiona el botón otra vez.” Algorithm Capture HID codeIf (previous-status == “activated”) then   Play Message 2A   ProgramLED1 to “disabled”   Program LED2 to “on” (yellow) Else   Play Message2B   Program LED1 to “enabled”   Program LED2 to “off” Endif

Button 3: Security action sequence

Button Number 3 HID Code(s) Page = 0x01, Usage = 0x07, Button Usage =0xE0, 0xE2, 0x4C (three characters <<Ctrl+Alt+Del>> in one packet).Associated LEDs LED3: system secure indicator. This LED must beprogrammed by the system security software (e.g., Softex OmniPass)because the dashboard application is not running when the user is notlogged in. Purpose When system is at login screen, start login procedure(note that the dashboard application is not running until the user logsin, so no tool tips or voice prompts are provided at that time). Whensystem is logged in, shows “Windows Security” dialog box where you canlogout, lock screen, enter performance monitor, etc. Text Caption ENU:“Security. Activate Windows Security.” ESM: “Seguridad. Active laseguridad de Windows.” Voice Messages Message 3A: ENU: “System securityoptions menu. Click the Cancel button to cancel this operation.” ESM:“Menú de las opciones de la seguridud del sistema. Chasque el botón dela cancelación para cancelar esta operación.” Algorithm Capture HID codePlay Message 3A

Button 4: Wireless pairing

Button Number 4 HID Code(s) Page = 0x0C, Usage = 0x01, Button Usage =0x1BB. Associated LEDs LED4: Bluetooth activity signal routed directlyfrom a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) module, with KSC programmaticenable/suppress. Purpose This button is used to initiate wireless (e.g.,Bluetooth) pairing in the event that the auto-pairing algorithm embeddedin the Bluetooth module needs to be restarted. The KSC microcontrollersends this signal directly to the Bluetooth module and then reports theHID code. The dashboard application can also launch the Toshiba systemtray applet so that the user can either observe, or participate in thepairing process. Text Caption ENU: “Bluetooth. Pair up Bluetoothperipheral devices.” ESM: “Bluetooth. Aparéese encima de losdispositivos periféricos de Bluetooth.” Voice Messages Message 4A: ENU:“Beginning to pair up Bluetooth peripheral devices. Close the BluetoothSettings dialog box to cancel this operation.” ESM: “El comenzar aaparearse de los dispositivos periféricos de Bluetooth. Cierre la cajade diálogo de los ajustes de Bluetooth para cancelar esta operación.”Message 4B: ENU: “Bluetooth features are currently inaccessible becauseall wireless radios are deactivated. Please activate wireless radiosfirst.” ESM: “Las caracteristicas de Bluetooth son actualmenteinaccesibles porque se desactivan todas las radios sin hilos. Antes decontinuar, active por favor las radios sin hilos.” Algorithm Capture HIDcode If (RF-Kill active)   Play Message 4B Else   Play Message 4A  Launch Bluetooth system tray applet (e.g., Toshiba, IVT) Endif

Button 5: Patient alert

Button Number 5 HID Code(s) Page = 0x0C, Usage = 0x01, Button Usage =0x10D. Associated LEDs LED5: Patient alert indicator. Purpose Thisbutton is used to cancel a patient alert notice. Normally, the noticecondition is activated by a medical telemetry application thatdetermines patient attention is required. Text Caption ENU: “PatientAssistance. Activate or deactivate the patient assistance notice. ” ESM:“Ayuda Paciente. Active o desactive el aviso paciente de la ayuda.”Voice Messages Message 5A: ENU: “Canceling patient assistance notice. Toreactivate, press this button again.” ESM: “Cancelar el aviso pacientede la ayuda. Para reactivar, presione este botón otra vez.” Message 5B:ENU: “Activating patient assistance notice. To cancel, press this buttonagain.” ESM: “Aviso paciente de la ayuda que activa. Para cancelar,presione este botón otra vez.” Algorithm Capture HID code If(previous-status == “activated”) then   Play Message 5A   Program LED5to “off” Else   Play Message 5B   Program LED5 to “on” (red) Endif

Button 6: Voice annotation recording

Button Number 6 HID Code(s) Page = 0x0C, Usage = 0x01, Button Usage =0xB2. Associated LEDs LED6: audio recording indicator. Purpose Thisbutton is used to start and stop recording of an audio voice annotation.Since the system does not contain an integrated microphone, it ispresumed that a Bluetooth audio headset will already be paired with thesystem, and selected as the default Windows audio input device. TextCaption ENU: “Recording. Start and stop recording of a voiceannotation.” ESM: “Grabación. Comience y pare la grabación de unaanotación de la voz.” Voice Messages Message 6A: ENU: “Recording a voiceannotation. Begin speaking after the tone. To stop recording, press thisbutton again. <<Beep>>.” ESM: “Registración de una anotación de la voz.Comience a hablar después del tono. Para parar el registrar, presioneeste botón otra vez. <<señal sonora>>.” Message 6B: ENU: “Recordingfinished.” ESM: “La grabación acabó.” Algorithm Capture HID code If(previous-status == “activated”) then   Play Message 6B   Stop recordingaudio (this step performed by medical   application).   Program LED6 to“off” Else   Play Message 6A   Begin recording audio (this stepperformed by medical   application).   Program LED6 to “on” (red) Endif

Button 7: Activate medical applications 1 through 3

Button Number 7, 8, and 9 HID Code(s) Page = 0x0C, Usage 0x03, ButtonUsage = 0x01, 0x02, and 0x03. Associated LEDs LED7, LED8, and LED9:Medical application indicator. The indicators are turned on or offdirectly by the medical applications without interference from thedashboard application. Purpose This button is used to launch aconfigurable medical application. Text Caption The text captions for thethree medical applications will almost certainly be changed by theISV/System Integrator to match the titles of the assigned/bundledapplication programs. ENU: “Medical application #1.” ESM: “Aplicaciónmédico número 1.” ENU: “Medical application #2.” ESM: “Aplicación médiconúmero 2.” ENU: “Medical application #3.” ESM: “Aplicación médico número3.” Voice Messages Message 7A: ENU: “Launching medical applicationnumber one.” ESM: “Por lanzar la aplicación médico que numera uno.”Message 8A: ENU: “Launching medical application number two.” ESM: “Porlanzar la aplicación médico que numera dos.” Message 9A: ENU: “Launchingmedical application number three.” ESM: “Por lanzar la aplicación médicoque numera tres.” These three voice messages can be re-recorded by thesystem administrator to match the site-local assignments. AlgorithmCapture HID code If (button == 7) then   Play Message 7A ElseIf (button== 8) then   Play Message 8A ElseIf (button == 9) then   Play Message 9AEndif

The disclosed invention has numerous, practical embodiments. The variousembodiments are to inventions useful for those requiring a portablecomputing platform that is durable and resistant to penetration byfluids. The device is also resistant to chemical and other cleaningsolvents used to minimize the spread of germs and bacterial throughcontact with portable objects in a hospital, clinical, and/or otherenvironments. While the disclosed embodiments relate generally to aportable computing platform for medical professionals, those skilled inthe art will readily recognize the need for a computing platform inaccordance with the present invention in a wide variety of fields.

This application discloses several numerical range limitations thatsupport any range within the disclosed numerical ranges even though aprecise range limitation is not stated verbatim in the specificationbecause the embodiments of the invention could be practiced throughoutthe disclosed numerical ranges. Finally, the entire disclosure of thepatents and publications referred in this application, if any, arehereby incorporated herein in entirety by reference.

1. An applet for a mobile computing device, comprising an element todetect user input and perform appropriate associated actions, and toprovide a cognitive aid for users of the mobile computing device.
 2. Theapplet of claim 1, wherein the element utilizes a single device driverto detect the user input and perform appropriate actions associated withthe user input.
 3. The applet of claim 2, wherein the device driver isan ACPI-to-HID mapper driver.
 4. The applet of claim 1, wherein thecognitive aid comprises an on-screen tip.
 5. The applet of claim 1,wherein an on-screen tip is provided for each of a type of user input.6. The applet of claim 5, wherein the type of user input comprisesbutton presses.
 7. The applet of claim 1, wherein the user inputcomprises button presses.
 8. The applet of claim 1, wherein aconfiguration file defines details of user input implementation, and thedetails are read by the applet.
 9. A method for controlling operation ofa mobile computing device, comprising: detecting user input andperforming appropriate associated actions; and providing a cognitive aidfor users of the mobile computing device.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein a single device driver detects user input and performs theappropriate actions associated with the user input.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the device driver is an ACPI-to-HID mapper driver. 12.The method of claim 9, wherein the cognitive aid comprises an on-screentip.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein an on-screen tip is provided foreach of a type of user input.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thetype of user input comprises button presses.
 15. The method of claim 9,wherein the user input comprises button presses.
 16. The method of claim9, further comprising providing an applet for detecting the user inputand providing the cognitive aid.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising providing a configuration file defining details of user inputimplementation, wherein the details are read by the applet.
 18. Acognitive aid for a mobile computing device having a display screen andan embedded controller, the cognitive aid being displayed on the displayscreen and being associated with an input vehicle of the mobilecomputing device that is connected to the embedded controller, whereinthe cognitive aid provides relevant information to the user regardingthe input vehicle.
 19. The cognitive aid of claim 18, wherein the inputvehicle comprises one of a button, a switch, a transducer, a dial, aknob, and a slider.
 20. The cognitive aid of claim 18, wherein thecognitive aid comprises one of on-screen tip and an audio tip.
 21. Thecognitive aid of claim 20, wherein the input vehicle comprises a buttonand the on-screen tip or audio tip is associated with the button. 22.The cognitive aid of claim 20, wherein the input vehicle comprises twoor more buttons and an on-screen tip or audio tip is associated witheach of the buttons.
 23. The cognitive aid of claim 20, wherein theon-screen tip can be displayed or hidden by the user.
 24. The cognitiveaid of claim 23, wherein the on-screen tip can be displayed in a fullmode or an expanded mode.
 25. A method for assisting users of a mobilecomputing device having a display screen and an embedded controller, themethod comprising: providing a vehicle for user input to the mobilecomputing device, the vehicle being connected to the embeddedcontroller; and providing a cognitive aid on the display screen, thecognitive aid being associated with the user input vehicle, wherein thecognitive aid provides relevant information to the user regarding theuser input vehicle.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the user inputvehicle comprises one of a button, a switch, a transducer, a dial, aknob, and a slider.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the cognitiveaid comprises one of an on-screen tip and an audio tip.
 28. The methodof claim 27, wherein the user input vehicle comprises a button and theon-screen tip or audio tip is associated with the button.
 29. The methodof claim 27, wherein the user input vehicle comprises two or morebuttons and an on-screen tip or audio tip is associated with each of thebuttons.
 30. The cognitive aid of claim 27, wherein the on-screen tipcan be displayed or hidden by the user.
 31. The cognitive aid of claim30, wherein the on-screen tip can be displayed in a full mode or anexpanded mode.
 32. A mobile computing device having an embeddedcontroller and an element with standardized nomenclature for controllingHID-class buttons, the standardized nomenclature being adapted to allowa single device driver to control all types of HID-class buttonsconnected to the embedded controller, and to be re-usable for a varietyof mobile computing device implementations.
 33. The standardizednomenclature of claim 32, wherein the device driver is an ACPI-to-HIDmapper driver, and a configuration file defines details of HID-classbutton implementation, and the details are used to control theACPI-to-HID mapper driver without changing source code for theACPI-to-HID mapper driver.
 34. An applet for a mobile computing devicehaving a user input vehicle, comprising an element adapted to provide anend-user management graphical user interface and to gain knowledge aboutthe user input vehicle by reading a configuration file and communicatingvia a device driver without changing source code for the device driveror the applet.
 35. The applet of claim 34, wherein the mobile computingdevice can be configured for a variety of sites having differentapplication requirements, and wherein the user input vehicle isconfigurable for a site-specific application.
 36. The applet of claim35, wherein the site is a medical clinic or hospital, and thesite-specific application includes one of in-patient electronic medicalrecords, out-patient electronic medical records, and physician medicalinformation reference.
 37. The applet of claim 34, wherein the devicedriver automatically configures itself from the configuration file. 38.The applet of claim 37, wherein the configuration file resides in thesystem registry.
 39. The applet of claim 38, wherein appearancecharacteristics of the graphical user interface are configured from thesystem registry.
 40. The applet of claim 1, wherein the elementcomprises software code or hardware.
 41. The applet of claim 1, whereinthe element is a single element.
 42. The applet of claim 34, wherein theelement comprises software code or hardware.
 43. The applet of claim 34,wherein the element is a single element.